Online casinos are fast becoming favorites for the gaming community. Many gamblers are now opting to play free casinos online, right in the comforts of their own homes. With the myriad of gambling casinos online, the gamer has many choices.

The allure of online casinos lies in the ease of betting, whilst land based casinos require actual physical presence, save the case of off track betting stations, betting can be done with a click on the computer. Players can thus place multiple bets on different casinos without even leaving home.

Another thing that virtual casino gamblers like about online casinos is the ease of payment. Bets can be easily placed using credit cards or with the use of other electronic payment systems, such as Paypal (one of the more popular choices). Payout claims are also relatively easy, as the funds are disbursed in the same way as the are put by players. This makes it relatively easy for players to cash in their winnings. They can also just leave their money in their account and use it for other online purposes.

Online betting, however is not all that pleasant. For one, like other online systems, this one can also suffer from technical glitches. One of the more frustrating things that can happen when betting online is when the casino's server crashes and and the bet isn't loaded onto the casino's database but is still credited to your account. Often, this can be resolved with the casino's administrators, but in some cases, the amount can not be recovered.  This can be very irritating especially if your bet is the one that wins.

A far more severe problem in online betting are hackers. Hackers can attack when you are placing a bet, gaining access to your account. Another danger with this is that the hacker can also get access to the accounts that you are using to pay your bets through the casino's database, leaving your bank accounts vulnerable.

However, patrons of online casinos can rest assured, as the owners of these sites have taken great lengths to ensure the integrity of their betting systems. Most of them now uses encryption systems to protect their client's vital account information from intruders. They also employ experienced technical staff to maintain their servers.

But while operators have taken appropriate measures, the online bettor is also expected to do his own security checks. One thing he can do is to ensure that his account information is secure and that he alone knows its details. Also the bettor should refrain from dealing with dubious online casinos, as these can be a front for fraudulent activities. The bettor should first check on the casino's background and reputation to ensure reliability.